Wheel.



PATENTED MAY 5, 1903.

A. RUSSELL.

WHEEL.

APPLICATION PILElj FEB. 21, 1903.

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i'rEn STATES Patented May 5, 1903.

PATENT OFFICE- WHEEL,

SPECIFICATION formingpart Of Letters Patent NO. 727,456, dated May 5, 1903. Application filed February 21, 1903. Serial No. 144,373. (No model.)

.To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALEXANDER RUssELL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Hawksnest, in the county of Fayette and State of West Virginia, have invented new and use ful Improvements in Wheels, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to wheels, and particularly to hub constructions for devices of.

this class; and the primary object of the same is to provide a comparatively simple and officient means for permitting a wheel to automatically compensate for inequalities of the surface over which it moves to reduce the Wear and render the movement of the vehicle easier.

The invention consists in the construction and arrangement of the several parts, which will be more fully hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawings, Figure l is an elevation of the hub portion of the wheel embodying the features of the invention. Fig; 2 is a longitudinal vertical section therethrough in advance of the spokes of the Wheel, and Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical section of the same.

Similar numerals of reference are employed to indicate corresponding parts in all figures of the drawings.

The numerals 1 and 2 designate circular plates having sufficient rigidity to render them practical for their intended service and between which the inner extremities of spokes 3 are secured by bolts l passing through said spokes and the plates. The centers of the plates 1 and 2 are formed with openings 5 and 6 of such diameter as to completely clear the axle 7, which extends through said openings. The axle 7 hasabearing-disk S'secured thereon to rotate therewith, said 'bearingdisk being located between the plates 1 and 2 and has on opposite sides thereof pairs of space-bars 9 and 10, respectively, arranged in planes at right angles to each other to hold the said disk in central position between the plates 1 and 2. The periphery of the bearing-disk 8 is at a distance from the inner opposing ends of the spokes 3, and in the space formed between the said disk and the inner ends of the spokes a resilient circular trackbar 11 is mounted and frictionally bears with considerable tension against the inner ends of the spokes 3. The track-bar 11 is made resilient solely for the purpose of applying the same Without the use of fastening devices and does not have the function of a spring in relation to the disk, but simply forms a hard bearing device for said disk. This track-bar is normally of greater diameter than the distance between the inner opposing ends ofthe spokes 3, and to mount it in po sition it is compressed and sprung into place, the ends being normally separated, as clearly indicated by Fig. 2. The frictional contact of the said bar 11 with the inner ends of the spokes 3 always maintains said bar in reliable engagement with the spokes, and the bearing-disk 8 is adapted to contact with the bar 11 during the rotation of the wheel embodying the invention or features of construction as set forth. It will be seen that the said disk 8 is free to move downwardly against the bar, or, in other words, the wheel in its distinct structure will rotate around the said disk 8. 7 During the rotation of the Wheel the disk 8 will bear against different portions of the circular track-bar 11, and Wear on the ends of the spokes or jamming of the several parts will be avoided.

By the use of the disk 8 and the circular track-bar 11 a wheel embodying such features will be made to compensate for irregularities of the road-surface over which the wheel moves without in the least detracting from the propulsive operation of the Wheel, and if a depression is traversed by the Wheel the disk 8 will'move downwardly and the movement of the vehicle rendered easier and strain on the usual vehicle-springs due to jolting will be materially reduced. The bearing-disk 8 also prevents the wheel from running irregularly, as the space-bars 9 and 10, disposed at right angles to each other, hold the disk constantly in one position or so that the periphery thereof will be in engaging contiguity with the track-bar 11. Furthermore; by forming the track-bar 11 of resilient or spring material and relying on its frictional contact with the innerends of the spokes to hold it in place the use of fastening devices are dispensed with and convenience in assemblage thereof results. Moreover, the track bar 11 being formed of metal provides a hard Wearingsurfaco, and the ends of the spokes are protected, so that the disk 8 is always caused to run true, and the latter may be made either of wood or metal in accordance with the weight of the vehicle.

Changes in the proportions,dimensions,and minor details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, What is claimed as new is- 1. A wheel having central plates to which the spokes are secured, a resilient track-bar sprung into place between the inner terminals of the spokes, and an axle having a disk secured thereon to rotate therewith, the said disk being rotatably mounted within the track-bar and of less diameter than the inner diameter of the latter.

2. A wheel having a resilient circular trackbar engaging the inner ends of its spokes, and

an axle having a disk secured thereto to rotate therewith and disposed within the confines of the track-bar.

3. A wheel having spokes, plates secured on the opposite sides of the inner converging ends of said spokes, a circular space between said ends of the spokes, a circular track-bar sprung into place against the inner ends of said spokes, space-bars arranged between the plates and disposed at right angles to each other, and an axle having a disk secured thereon to rotate therewith and located within the confines of the track-bar.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ALEXANDER RUSSELL.

Witnesses:

L. E. BLACK, J. S. COLEMAN. 

